Ski or snowboard boot

ABSTRACT

Ski or snowboard boot (10) comprising a sole (11), shell (14) and shaft (15), the shaft (15) comprising a supporting shell (17) which butts against the lower leg on the rear side and is mounted in the ankle region such that it can be pivoted about a transverse axis (16) which extends approximately parallel to the sole (11) and approximately perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis thereof. The supporting shell (17) is coupled to the front sole (12) of the boot (10) such that a force acting on the supporting shell (17) or a torque acting on the supporting shell (17) is introduced essentially directly into the front sole (12) or vice versa.

DESCRIPTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a ski or snowboard boot comprising a sole, shell and shaft, the shaft comprising a supporting shell which butts against the lower leg on the rear side and is mounted in the ankle region such that it can be pivoted about a transverse axis which extends approximately parallel to the sole and approximately perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis thereof.

[0002] Such boots are known in general, reference only being made, by way of example, to EP 0 441 776 B1. In the case of these boots, the force is introduced from the lower leg onto the front sole via a forefoot and instep covering of the shell, this resulting in the foot being correspondingly constrained in the instep region and in the boot spreading in the outward direction in the region of articulation between the shaft and the shell as the skier or snowboarder leans forward. The known boots are thus subjected to not inconsiderable deformation, in particular as the skier or snowboarder leans forward, this resulting in the foot within the shell being subjected to corresponding loading, in particular painful loading.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a ski or snowboard boot of the type mentioned in the introduction which, with improved force and torque transmission, is considerably more comfortable than the prior art.

[0004] This object is achieved according to the invention by the defining features of claim 1, design details being described in the subclaims.

[0005] The essence of the present invention is thus that the supporting shell is coupled to the front sole of the boot such that a force acting on the supporting shell or a torque acting on the supporting shell is introduced essentially directly into the front sole or vice versa. There is thus a direct force and torque coupling between the front sole and supporting shell. This means that, even as the skier or snowboarder leans forward, the foot, in particular the instep region of the same, remains essentially free of loading by the boot or the shell of the same. By virtue of the direct coupling between the supporting shell and the front sole, it is considerably easier to control the sporting equipment, in particular the ski or snowboard. Furthermore, on account of the direct coupling between the supporting shell and front sole, the shell of the boot undergoes little deformation, if any at all. This makes it possible to avoid corresponding energy loss, and also achieves better control of the sporting equipment.

[0006] The supporting shell is preferably operatively connected to the front sole, in particular the ball-of-the-foot region of the same, via a force- and torque-transmitting element.

[0007] A particularly preferred embodiment is defined in that the force- and torque-transmitting element comprises a rail which extends essentially freely around the heel, has its free ends connected to the front sole, or directly above the same, and has the pivotably mounted supporting shell connected to its arcuate crosspiece, which extends around the heel. This design has the advantage that it can be produced in a functionally appropriate, more or less weight-neutral and straightforward manner. It also has the advantage that, as the skier or snowboarder leans forward, it counteracts any possible spreading of the shell in the outward direction in the region of articulation between the supporting shell and the shell or in the ankle region. The rail thus holds the shell properly together in the ankle region by way of its two lateral legs.

[0008] In order optimally to ensure the force and torque transmission from the supporting shell to the front sole of the boot, it is the case that preferably in the region of the transverse axis, about which the supporting shell is mounted in a pivotable manner, the force- and torque-transmitting element is supported in a force- and torque-transmitting manner about an axis which extends parallel to said transverse axis. The support may preferably take place directly at the transverse axis, about which the supporting shell is mounted in a pivotable manner.

[0009] With the force- and torque-transmitting element configured as a U-shaped rail, the two legs of the latter extend within grooves which are formed on the two sides of the shell in the region between the supporting-shell pivot axis and front sole. For reasons of comfort, the grooves are formed on the two outer sides of the shells; however, as an alternative, they may also be provided on the inner sides in order thus for it to be possible for the two legs of the force- and torque-transmitting rail to be fitted in a concealed manner. It is also conceivable for the two legs of the force- and torque-transmitting rail to be placed within corresponding longitudinal bores in the shell.

[0010] A particularly advantageous embodiment of a boot according to the invention, which is distinguished, in particular, by a particularly high level of wearing comfort, is defined in that the shell and the shaft, with the exception of the supporting shell assigned thereto, are produced from soft material, in particular padding material. In the case of an actual embodiment, it is the case that on the top side, located opposite the walking side of the sole, a supporting border for accommodating the shell, consisting of soft material, and for anchoring the force- and torque-transmitting element is integrally formed on the sole, it being the case that, in the ankle region, said supporting border extends upward as far as this region in order to accommodate the pivot bearing for the supporting shell, which is assigned to the shaft. The abovementioned supporting border preferably extends around the periphery of the sole.

[0011] In addition, the two lateral legs of the force- and torque-transmitting rail also promote the torsional stability of the shell. This applies, in particular, when the two legs are placed within a groove on the two sides of the shell.

[0012] In addition, the two legs of the force- and torque-transmitting rails keep the foot free of forces in a plane perpendicular to the boot sole between the front connection of the legs to the shell above the front sole, on the one hand, and the support in the ankle region, on the other hand.

[0013] A preferred embodiment of a ski boot according to the invention is explained in more detail hereinbelow with reference to the attached drawing. The latter shows a side view of a ski boot designed according to the invention. The boot is designated 10 overall. It comprises a sole 11, with a front sole 12 and heel 13, as well as a shell 14 and a shaft 15, the shaft 15 having a supporting shell 17 which butts against the lower leg on the rear side and is mounted in the ankle region such that it can be pivoted about a transverse axis 16 which extends approximately parallel to the sole 11 and approximately perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis thereof. The supporting shell 17 is coupled to the front sole 12 of the boot 10 such that a force acting on the supporting shell 17 or a torque acting on the supporting shell 17 is introduced essentially directly into the front sole 12 or vice versa. As the skier or snowboarder leans forward, and his/her lower legs are correspondingly inclined forward, the supporting shell 17 is subjected to a torque “D”. Via a connecting plate 18 arranged on the rear side of the supporting shell 17, said torque is introduced into a force- and torque-transmitting element which acts between the supporting shell 17 and the front sole 12 and, in the present case, is designed in the form of a rail 19 which extends essentially freely around the heel and has its free front ends connected to the front sole, in this case directly above the same. In the case of the torque “D” illustrated in the attached drawing, the arcuate crosspiece 20 of the rail 19, said crosspiece extending around the heel, is drawn upward in the direction of the arrow 21. The two legs 22 of the rail 19 are each supported in the region of the transverse axis 16, about which the supporting shell 17 is mounted in a pivotable manner, this resulting in a situation where, when the arcuate crosspiece 20 is pulled in the direction of the arrow 21, the front sections of the two legs 22 are forced downward about the support in the ankle region. The corresponding torque is then transmitted directly to the front sole 12, to be precise the ball-of-the-foot region thereof. The reason for this is that the front ends of the two legs 22 are connected in the ball-of-the-foot region of the front sole 12. In the attached drawing, the supporting axis about which the two legs 22 of the rail 19 are supported in a force- and torque-transmitting manner in the ankle region and/or in the region of the transverse axis 16 is designated 24. This axis, of course, extends approximately parallel to the transverse axis 16.

[0014] Both in the region of this support 24 and in the region between the same and the front connection of the two legs 22, the latter are located within a groove 25, which is open in the direction of the outside. As a result, the two legs 22 give the boot overall a higher resistance to torsion. It is also ensured that the foot is kept free of forces in a direction perpendicular to the sole 11 in the region between the support 24 and the front connection of the two legs 22. Finally, the two legs 22 result in it not being possible for the shell of the boot to be deformed in the outward direction even as the skier or snowboarder leans forward to a pronounced extent. The two legs 22 hold the shell of the boot 10 together like a clamp. This ensures that forces or torques from the supporting shell 17 are introduced essentially directly into the front sole, preferably into the ball-of-the-foot region thereof. It is, of course, also conversely the case that force transmission takes place from the sporting equipment into the supporting shell, and thus into the lower leg.

[0015] As an alternative to the embodiment illustrated, it is possible in the region of the transverse axis 16, about which the supporting shell 17 is mounted in a pivotable manner, for the two legs 22 of the force- and torque-transmitting rail 19 each to extend through an opening within a supporting element, either the supporting elements being mounted such that they can be pivoted about an axis extending parallel to the transverse axis 16 or the openings themselves being designed such that the rail legs 22 within the same are supported such that they can be pivoted about an axis, namely the supporting axis 24 parallel to the transverse axis 16.

[0016] It should also be pointed out that in the region behind the transverse axis 16, about which the supporting shell 17 is mounted in a pivotable manner, or behind the support 24 in the region of the abovementioned transverse axis 16 the arcuate crosspiece of the rail 19 is of resilient design in the vertical plane, the resilience of the arcuate crosspiece 20 being set such that, on the one hand, essentially loss-free force and torque transmission from the supporting shell 17 to the front sole 12 of the boot or vice versa is ensured but, on the other hand, predetermined damping is achieved for the pivoting movement of the supporting shell 17 about the transverse axis 16. In order for the abovementioned resilience of the arcuate crosspiece 20 not to be obstructed unnecessarily, the grooves 25 are open in a funnel-like or trumpet-like manner in the rearward direction in the region of the transverse axis 16, as can be seen from the attached drawing. The funnel-like widening of the grooves 25 is preferably of arcuate design in each case corresponding to the bending radius of the rail legs 22 in this region in the upward or downward directions, depending on the direction of the torque acting on the supporting shell 17.

[0017] It is the case with the embodiment illustrated that on the top side, located opposite the walking side of the sole 11, a supporting border 26 for accommodating the shell 14, consisting of soft material, and for anchoring the rail legs 22 and the front ends thereof is integrally formed on the sole 11, it being the case that, in the ankle region, i.e. in the region of the transverse axis 16, the supporting border 26 extends upward as far as this region or as this transverse axis in order to accommodate the pivot bearing for the supporting shell 17, which is assigned to the shaft 15. The supporting border 26 extends around the periphery of the sole 11. The soft-material inner boot (shell and shaft) is firmly embedded, in particular adhesively bonded and, if appropriate, riveted within the supporting border 26.

[0018] The connecting plate 18 between the supporting shell 17 and arcuate crosspiece 20 of the rail 19 is connected to the supporting shell 17 either permanently or, alternatively, depending on requirements, either in a fixed manner (skiing position) or such that it can be displaced relative to the supporting shell 17 (walking position). As far as the technology in this respect is concerned, you are referred to EP 0 441 776 B1 and to the “click & go” system promoted by the applicant.

[0019] The shell 14 and shaft 15 may either be provided with a fixed inlay made of padding material or be dimensioned such that they are suitable for accommodating a separate inner boot made of soft material.

[0020] The force- and torque-transmitting rail 19 preferably consists of chromium-nickel alloy or similar rust-free or stainless material.

[0021] The supporting shell 17 is assigned a solid closure clasp 27 with a preformed closure strap 28 made of plastic or sheet aluminum, while flexible closure straps, in particular touch-and-close fastener straps 29, 30 are provided in addition.

[0022] In the region of the closure clasp 27 with preformed closure strap 28, which is a relatively rigid design, the supporting shell 17 extends somewhat further in the forward direction, in the process gripping partially around the lower leg and the soft-material shaft 15.

[0023] The drawing also shows an actuating element 31, which is located on the rear side of the supporting shell 17 and serves for arresting or releasing the connecting plate 18, with the result that the connecting plate 18 can be set such that it is either fixed to the supporting shell 17 or can be displaced relative thereto.

[0024] The embodiment which is illustrated and described thus combines all the advantages of a so-called “soft boot” (comfort) with the advantages of a hard-shell boot (stability, etc). The shell 14 is a custom-made “cockpit” for the foot or an inner boot. It protects against damp and cold. Since only one closure clasp with a preformed closure strap is necessary, it is also possible for the boot to be handled easily. It can be put on and taken off easily by virtue of the closure clasp 27 being closed and opened. The closure straps 29, 30 which are provided in addition do not require any particular dexterity. They are essentially only close in position or raised and/or drawn to the side if required for opening the boot. In addition, in the embodiment described it is possible to increase to a considerable extent the instep-heel volume for putting on and taking off the boot, this resulting in these operations being carried out with particular comfort. It is likewise the case that rigid shell parts do not obstruct the operations of putting on and taking off the boot.

[0025] The leverage on the force- and torque-transmitting rail 19 means that very progressive force and torque transmission to the ski is also achieved. This makes it considerably easier to control the ski or snowboard. The sole and supporting border 26 preferably consist of glass-fiber-reinforced polyamide.

[0026] The force-transmitting design described is equally suitable for conventional ski boots with a hard shell. The latter are particularly well-suited for racing purposes.

[0027] As can also be gathered from the attached drawing, the boot 10 is provided with a fixed inlay 32 made of padding material. Alternatively, it is possible for the foot-accommodating shell 14 and the shaft to be dimensioned such that they are suitable for accommodating a separate inner boot made of padding material.

[0028] It can also be gathered from the attached drawing that the legs 22 of the rail 19 extend at an angle of approximately 20° to 35° to the sole 11 or the walking surface thereof. Correspondingly, the side walls of the peripheral supporting border 26 are also extended upward from the front to the rear as far as the ankle region or the region of the transverse axis 16, about which the supporting shell 17 is mounted in a pivotable manner. The height of the supporting border 26 then decreases again to a minimal height at the rear heel end. The height of the supporting border 26 is minimal in the region of the toes. The supporting border 26 essentially consists of the same material as the sole 11 and is integrally formed therewith, preferably by injection molding. The supporting border 26 is thus of relatively rigid design in relation to the foot-accommodating shell 14 and to the shaft 15, with the exception of the supporting shell 17, which is assigned to the shaft 15 and is preferably produced from the same material as the sole 11 and supporting border 26.

[0029] All of the features described in the application documents are claimed as essential to the invention insofar as they are novel, individually or in combination, in relation to the prior art.

[0030] It is preferably possible for the position of the supporting axis 24 for supporting the rail 19 or the legs 22 of the same to be changed, in particular to be displaced in the forward or rearward direction, this resulting in it thus being possible for the rigidity of the rail 19 or of the legs 22 of the same to be changed correspondingly. This, in turn, results in a change in the flexing characteristics of the shaft 15. It is preferable, in this embodiment, for the supporting axis to form part of supporting elements which are mounted such that they can be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the two legs 22 of the rail 19.

[0031] It is also possible to provide, in the region of the connection of the free front ends of the legs 22 of the rail 19, in each case two or more accommodating openings which are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the boot. The engagement of the rail 19 on the front sole can be correspondingly changed as a result. The point of force introduction is then located either somewhat further forward or somewhat further to the rear, depending on the user and on the user's requirements.

[0032] In the embodiment illustrated, only one closure clasp 27 is provided in the region of the shaft 15. Of course, it is possible to provide a further closure clasp, in which case this then preferably replaces the touch-and-close fastener strap 29 in the instep region.

[0033] Finally, it should also be pointed out that, rather than consisting of metal, the rail 19 also consists of other high-strength materials, for example carbon or carbon-reinforced material. List of designations 10 Boot 11 Sole 12 Front sole 13 Heel 14 Shell 15 Shaft 16 Transverse axis 17 Supporting shell 18 Connecting plate 19 Rail 20 Arcuate crosspiece 21 Arrow 22 Leg 23 Arrow 24 Supporting axis (support for rail 19) 25 Groove 26 Supporting border 27 Closure clasp 28 Closure strap 29 Touch-and-close fastener strap 30 Touch-and-close fastener strap 31 Actuating means 

1. A ski or snowboard boot (10) comprising a sole (11), shell (14) and shaft (15), the shaft (15) comprising a supporting shell (17) which butts against the lower leg on the rear side and is mounted in the ankle region such that it can be pivoted about a transverse axis (16) which extends approximately parallel to the sole (11) and approximately perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis thereof, wherein the supporting shell (17) is coupled to the front sole (12) of the boot (10) such that a force acting on the supporting shell (17) or a torque (D) acting on the supporting shell (17) is introduced essentially directly into the front sole (12) or vice versa.
 2. The boot as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting shell (17) is operatively connected to the front sole (12), in particular the ball-of-the-foot region of the same, via a force- and torque-transmitting element (19).
 3. The boot as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the force- and torque-transmitting element comprises a rail (19) which extends essentially freely around the heel, has its free ends connected to the front sole, or directly above the same, and has the pivotably mounted supporting shell (17) connected to its arcuate crosspiece (20), which extends around the heel.
 4. The boot as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein in the region of the transverse axis (16), about which the supporting shell (17) is mounted in a pivotable manner, the force- and torque-transmitting element (19) is supported in a force- and torque-transmitting manner about an axis (24) which extends parallel to said transverse axis.
 5. The boot as claimed in claim 3, wherein in the region of the transverse axis (16), about which the supporting shell (17) is mounted in a pivotable manner, the two legs (22) of the force- and torque-transmitting rail (19) are each retained within a groove (25), which is open in the direction of the outside.
 6. The boot as claimed in claim 5, wherein the grooves (25), which accommodate the rail legs (22), extend in the forward direction as far as the connection of the free ends of the rail legs (22) to the front sole (12), or above the same.
 7. The boot as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein in the region of the transverse axis (16), about which the supporting shell (17) is mounted in a pivotable manner, the two legs (22) of the force- and torque-transmitting rail (19) each extend through an opening within a supporting element, either the supporting elements being mounted such that they can be pivoted about an axis extending parallel to the transverse axis (16) or the openings themselves being designed such that the rail legs (22) within the same are supported such that they can be pivoted about an axis (24) parallel to the transverse axis (16).
 8. The boot as claimed in one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the shell (14), for accommodating a foot, and the shaft (15), with the exception of the supporting shell (17) assigned thereto, are produced from soft material.
 9. The boot as claimed in claim 8, wherein on the top side, located opposite the walking side of the sole (11), a supporting border (26) for accommodating the foot shell (14), consisting of soft material, and for anchoring the force- and torque-transmitting element (19) is integrally formed on the sole (11), it being the case that, in the ankle region, said supporting border (26) extends upward as far as this region in order to accommodate the pivot bearing (transverse axis 16) for the supporting shell (17), which is assigned to the shaft (15).
 10. The boot as claimed in claim 9, wherein the supporting border (26) extends around the periphery of the sole (11).
 11. The boot as claimed in one of claims 3 to 10, wherein the supporting shell (17) is connected to the arcuate crosspiece (20) of the force- and torque-transmitting rail (19) via a connecting rod or a connecting plate (18), which is connected to the supporting shell (17) either in a permanently fixed manner or, alternatively, depending on requirements, either in a fixed manner (skiing position) or such that it can be displaced relative to it (walking position).
 12. The boot as claimed in one of claims 1 to 11, wherein in the region behind the transverse axis (16), about which the supporting shell (17) is mounted in a pivotable manner, the force- and torque-transmitting element (19) is of resilient design in the vertical plane, the resilience being set such that, on the one hand, essentially loss-free force and torque transmission from the supporting shell (17) to the front sole (12) of the boot (10) and vice versa is ensured but, on the other hand, predetermined damping is achieved for the pivoting movement of the supporting shell (17).
 13. The boot as claimed in one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the foot shell (14) and the shaft (15) are either provided with a fixed inlay (32) or dimensioned such that they are suitable for accommodating a separate inner boot.
 14. The boot as claimed in one of claims 3 to 13, wherein the force- and torque-transmitting rail (19) consists of metal, in particular chromium-nickel alloy.
 15. The boot as claimed in one of claims 3 to 13, wherein the supporting shell (17) is assigned a solid closure clasp (27) with a preformed, relatively rigid closure strap (28), while flexible closure straps, in particular touch-and-close fastener straps (29, 30), are provided in addition. 